Winning, Losing, and the Poker Mindset

I recently started playing online poker with real money, mostly micro-stakes tournaments. I managed to win a couple of tourneys on GGpoker and a few on 888 Poker. The payouts were tiny, but the feeling of winning was huge. The strange part is what happens after I win.

Every time I build a small bankroll, my game changes. I start playing looser, taking risks I wouldn't normally take, and before long I'm back where I started. It made me wonder: why can't I play with the same discipline that helped me win in the first place?

At the beginning, every chip matters. You're cautious, focused, and patient. After a win, that mindset shifts to "I can afford to gamble." The issue isn't skill - it's emotion. Winning creates excitement, and excitement often leads to impatience and poor decisions.

The real challenge in tournaments isn't just strategy; it's maintaining the same mental tempo. Stack sizes, recent wins, or losses shouldn't change how you think. Consistency beats chasing quick victories.

Bankroll management is less about math and more about discipline. A win doesn't mean you should jump stakes or play recklessly. Treat every dollar the same, whether it's your first deposit or profit.

In the end, the goal is simple: play like "day one" - focused, patient, and decision-driven. Winning a tournament is great, but staying the same player after you win is the real skill.